Apparatus for determining sighting data for naval guns.



A. H. POLLEN & H. ISHERWOOD..

APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING SIGHTING DATA FOR NAVAL GUNS.

APPucAnpN man JULY 11.1914.

1,232,968, Patented July 10,1917.

FIG. 2.

' ED I oFFI E- I ARTHUR H.:'R,0LLRN, or LONDON, AND HAROLD ISI-IERWOOD, or YORK, ENGLAND.

APrARATUs FOR DETERMINING SIGHTING DATA FOR NAvAL GUNS.

. To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that ARTHUR HUNGERFORD POLLEN and HAROLD IsHRRwoon, sub ects of the King of Great Britain, residing at 14 Buckingham street, Strand, London, England, and Bishophill House, York, England, respectively, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Determining Sighting Data for Naval Guns,

of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for determining sighting data for naval guns.

The object is, primarily, to provide means whereby the range and bearing of a target as observed from .a ship can be continuously indicated on suitable dials, although the observations of the target obtained at the range-finder may be intermittent observat1ons.

We are aware that an apparatus has been in use for many years for indicating the instantaneous rate at which the range is altering. Such apparatus consists of a linkage one member of which represents the vector ships course and speed, while a second member, pivoted at the extremity of the first vector, represents the vector target course and speed. The resultant vector represents rela tive target course and speed. In such apparatus, the projection of such resultant vector on the line of sight (which is always kept alined by the operator on the target) represents the instantaneous rateeof change of range, and a projection on a line perpendicular to the line of sight represents the knots deflection to a certain scale.

In conjunction with the above apparatus it is usual to employ a clock driven mechanism of a variable speed type for indicating the range' and whose speed can be manually varied-in accordance with the indications of the rate of change ofirange obtained from. the above apparatus so that the indlcating mechanism continues to indicate the ranges resulting from such rates. We are also aware that suggestions have from time to I time been made foreliminating the manual operation of the variable-speed mechanism therein by mechanically transferring the rate from the said apparatus to the said indicating mechanism. Moreover, a device for combining the functions of the two 1nstruments in one machine has also heretofore been suggested.

According to, the present lnvention we combine with the above mentioned range in.-

understood, we proceed difference STSB is the Specification of Letters Patent. Patented July 10, 1917.- Application filed July 11, 1914. v Serial No. 350,319.

dicating mechanism, means for continuously lndicating-the bearing of the target.

In order that the invention may be clearly to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings in which, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the positions of the ship and target at the beginning and end of a short interval of time; and Fig. 2 shows dia grammatically, the principles employed in carrying out the invention.

Referring to Fig. 1: S represents the position of the ship and T that of the target at a certain instant of time. S T which repre sents the positions after some unit interval of time. Then SS :s represents the course and'speed of the ship, and TT,:% which get. We can reduce the ship to rest and find the new position of the target relative to the ship by supposing that the target has moved with a velocity compounded of its own velocity it together with a reversed v elocity 8 equal to that of the ship. Draw TA equal and opposite to SS and complete the parallelogram ATT in the point B. Then B is the new position of the target relative to the ship sup osed to be at rest.

The original range B is represented by- ST, and the new range R+0ZR is represented by SB. It will be noticed that in the particular instance shown the range is closing and therefore 03R is negative. The orlginal bearing {5 is the exterior angle S ST and is represented by about 290. The new bearing 6-0115 is the angle S SB. It will be noticed that the bearing angle is getting smaller.

Now drop a perpendicular BN on the line When the unit time period is taken-very Y small, the magnitudes SB and ST, are/very range JR in the interval is represented by In order, that this may. be made quite clear it will be seen that the original range is ST. The range after unit time is SB, and the unit time, or the rate of change of range. Again, when the time interval is small, ST SB=TN. Therefore, TN represents the rate of change of range. i

In the same way, the original bearing is S ST. The bearing after a unit interval of change of range in time is S SB. The difference BSN is the change of bearing in unit time, or the rate of change of bearing. Again, when the unit interval of time'is small,

BN ir I because when 0 is small sin 6:6. In this instance, R indicates the range as before, it

being remembered that the radius is the actual range. We have, therefore, the rate of change of range as represented by TN and the rate of change of bearings as represented by In other words, as

BN SB when the angle is small and as S represents the position of the ship and B the target, the length SB equals range.

Referring now to Fig. 2, which shows diagrammatically the arrangements for carrying out the above objects, 2 is the bearing dial arranged on the top of the instrument and graduated in degrees of bearing which read against a stationary pointer 34. It will be seen that the bearing indicated is about 290 which corresponds withthe position of ship and target represented in Fig. 1. The bearing and carries a radial guide 4. The radial guide 4 is, as shown arranged on the radius coinciding with the zero graduationof the bearing dial, and carries a sliding block 3 on which is mounted a Vertical axis A.

The axis A carries a radial guide 6 in which can slide a member 8. The member 8 carries a pin B, the whole being arranged so that the pin B can be shifted radially in the said guide 6 which guide, in turn can be rotated around the axis A.

If Figs. 1 and 2 are compared, it will be seen that T in Fig. 2 represents the position of the target. The point S, representing the ship, lies somewhere outside the figure in the line joining T to the fixed bearing pointer 34'.- Always referring to Fig. 2 but comparing it at the same time with Fig. 1, it will be noted that the exterior angle STA represents the bearing (5 and that the length TA represents the speed of the ship, so that by rotating the bearing dial 2 through the angle B and sliding the block 3 in the guide 4 through a distance representing the ships speed, we have displaced the axis A to a position corresponding to that shown in Fig. 1. Thus, TA is a vector representing the reversed ships course and speed whose angular position is determined with regard to one fixed line ST. If theguide 6 is now rotated so as to be parallel to the target course and the block carrying the pin B is displaced along such ways by an dial' is centered at the point T grammatically amount representing the target speed, AB is then a vector representing target course and speed, and we shall have succeeded in so positioning the pin B that it corresponds to the position B in'Fig. 1. TB is consequently the resultant of TA and AB, and is a vector which represents the relative course and speed of the target.

In Fig. 2, drop a perpendicular BN on the line ST passing through the fixed hearing pointer 34. Comparing again Fig. 1,

the distance TN represents the rate of change of range JR, whereas the distance as B represents the rate of change of bearing; that is, BN itself representsthe rate of change of bearing multiplied by R or is equal to Help. In order to convertthese lengths into actual motions of members of the'machine, we provide a sliding member 11 adapted to slide parallel to the line ST and provided with a slot 9 arranged at right angles to the direction of sliding. The pin B is arranged to engage in such slot. Consequently, the displacement of the member 11 represents in magnitude and direction the rate of change I (ZR. Similarly,

of range slide in a direction perpendicular ranged to to the line The pin B likewiseengages in this slot 10 so that the displacement of 12 is always,

tate on theshaft 19. A disk 15, mounted about a center immediately beneath a point on the shaft 19, is driven at a constant speed by any suitable means which, in this instance are represented diagrammatically by the motor 17. The disk 15 is held upward in frictional contact with the disk 13 as is well understood. It follows from this construction that the speed of rotation of shaft 19 is proportional to the displacement of the disk 13 away from the center of the disk 15; that is, the shaft 19 rotates at a velocity repre senting the rate of change of range. The shaft 19 transmits its motion to the range hand 7 through mechanism indicated diaas bevel wheels 20, shaft 21 and skew gear pushed inward disconnects shafts 21 and 19 and itself engages with the gear 22 so that the range hand can thereby be set to any desired range; but when the handle is released, the range hand acting under the influence of shafts 21 and 19, will be driven at such a speed that it will again operate to indicate the true range at future instants of time.

a member 12 is ar-' ST and is provided with a slot 10 at right angles to its direction of sliding.

22,28. The handle 2 L when- Referring again to Fig. 2, it will bere- Inembered that the member 12 is given a displacement representing Rdt by'settmg up the speed and course of the ship and the bearing, speed andcourse ofthe target.

In'order to obtain therefrom a displacement proportional to alt, the change of bearing, we proceed as follows ,We provide a swingingslotted arm erl2 engages with the slot in arm 35. I For convenience, we denote the center of the Q 'fixed pivot 36 by the letter 0. Through O cam Whose axis'is parallel to OY and whose,

draw a linejOX parallel to the direction of motion of member 12 and also a line OY- perpendicular to this'direction. When the" member' 12 is in its'center position; e. when BN is zero, the pin-37 lies on line OY, We denote the center of the pin .37 by P and draw a line PQ Perpendicular to OX. Then OQ will be equal to EN and, therefore, proj portional to R033. We have mechanically to divide'this quantity or .displacement by R,

multiplying it by 1 which result we obtain by a quantity proportional to .l l 11 We generate a displacement inthe follbwing way: 38 is cylindrical groove 39 when developed is a rectangular -hype rbola"; this ,cam is rotated so that its position at anymoment represents the-range;

ivoted at 36. Apin 37 carried on the memmember therefore by its displacement measures the quantity 013, We can therefpre obtain a speed 0Z6 for driving the bearing dial 2 by mounting a roller 46 of a frictional variable speed gearin'the member 45. The

- disk 47 is driven at a constant speed,as by shaft 48 from the inotor 17 and the shaft 50 on which the roller 46 is mounted will then rotateat a speed proportional to 036 and can, therefore, be geared to the bearing these operations are as follows: As already explained, the shaft 21 rotates at the rate of -changeof range and, when the range hand 7 has been set to indicate the actual range, this hand will' continue to indicate represents the quantity the drive of the cam being.- effected from shaft 21 by. means of skew gear 40. A roller 41 engages with this groove and is carried on the member 42 constrained to move parallel to OY as by sliding on the rod .or bar 43. --This'member 42 is provided with a slot parallel to the direction OX. A pin (Whosecente'r is denoted by V) is engaged in. .both," the slot in member 35 andthe slot inmember 42. Draw a-line VU'perpendicularto OX. Then, since the position of the cam 39 is determined b' R the range, and the developed cam'sur face is'a rectangular hyperbola, the displacement VUw'ill beproportional to R and, -consequently an R The displacement BN=RZB and represents the product. of the rate of change of bearing- This displacement is communicated to the member 12 so that displacement of this member represents R073. I

The displacement of the member 11 repre sents the ratev of change of range DR.

. What we claim is Y 1; Apparatus for determining" sighting data for naval guns including in combinai tion, a rotatable dial graduated in degrees of bearing, a stationary pointer juxtaposed thereto, a range dial graduated in degrees of range, a range-hand movable thereover, a shiftable member displaceable with respect to the bearing dial, driving mechanism indied 2 in any suitable way. The results of 'terposed between said shiftable member and p the range hand for operating the hand, a ro-' tatable cam-device actuatable by said driving mechanism, a slidable member positionable by said cam-device, a swinging element connected tosaidslidable member, an angular member operatively connected to said swinging and shiftable members and mov able at right angles to the shiftable member, a roller-can'yingmember operatively connected ,to and positionable by said cania 'a'otuated member andsaid swinging and an-- since 0Q represents Rel/5, 'OU will-represent i gularmembers, and dial-operating mechasaid dial.

or will represent (it or the rate of change of 7 range. We obtain the magnitude d3 as an actual displacement of a member 45 by constraining the member so as to move parallel to OX and providingsit'with a slot parallel to OY which also embraces the pin 44. The:

2. Apparatus for, determining sighting data for naval guns including'in c0mbina tion, a' rotatable dial graduated indegrees .of be'arlng, a stationary pointer juxtaposed thereto, a range dial graduated'in degrees of range, a range-hand movable thereover, a

shiftable member' displaceable with respect.

to the bearing dial, driving mechanism 'in- .terposed between said shiftable member and dial, and a manually-actuated hand setting device connected to the range-hand.

3. Apparatus for determining sighting data for naval guns including in combination, a rotatable dial graduated in degrees of bearing, a stationary pointer juxtaposed thereto, a range dial graduated in degrees of range, a range-hand movable thereover, a shiftable member displaceable with respect to the bearing dial, driving mechanism interposed between. said shiftable member and the range-hand for operating the hand, a rotatable cam-device actuatable by said driving mechanism, a slidable member positionable by said cam-device, a swinging element connected to said slidable member, an angular member operatively connected to said swinging and shiftable members and movable at right angles to the shiftable member, a roller-carrying member operatively'connected to and positionable by said cam-actuated member and said swinging and angular members, dial-operating mechanism interposed between the roller-carrying member and the bearing dial for operating said dial, and amanually-actuated hand setting device connected to the range-hand and movable longitudinally to disconnect thedriving mechanism from the range-hand..

4. Apparatus for determining slghting data for naval guns, a bearing dial 'gr aduated in degrees of bearing, a pointer jux taposed to the dial, a range dial, a range hand movable thereover, a shiftable mem-' ber displaceable according to the rate of .change of range, variable-speed integrating mechanism acting under the influence of the shiftable member and including a rotatable element whose total rotation represents range, a slidable member juxtaposed to the dials and representing the reciprocal of the range, cam-operated means driven by said speed mechanism-to displace. said.

slidable member, an angular member movable at an angle to the shifta'blemember, means acting under, the influence of the shiftable member for displacing saidslidable member so asto represent the reciprocal of the range, a roller-carrying member connected to the slidable member, a roller carried thereby, and means interacting with the slidable and angular members for multiplying the displacement of the an gular member by the reciprocal of the range so obtained, thereby efi'ecting dis- .ranged to said member, a variable speed mechanism for integrating this so that the total rotation of said shaft represents range, a slidable member arranged parallel to the shaft, a roller-carrying -member, cam-operated means for obtaining from such displacement representing range a displacement of the slidable member representing the reciprocal of the range, an angular.

member connected to the shiftable member, means for displacing the angular member so as to represent the product of range and rate of change of bearing, .a' roller positionable by said roller-carrying member,

and means consisting of a link interacting with the angular and slidable members for multiplying such last displacement by the reciprocal of the range so obtained thereby producing the displacement of the roller representing rate of change ofbearing.

6. Apparatus for obtaining sighting data for naval guns, comprising. range-indicating means, a shiftable member displaceable' according to the rate of change of range, a rotatable element controlled by said mem ber, variable-speed mechanism for integrating this so that the total rotation of the rotatable element represents range, aslidable member acting under the influence of'the rotatable element, cam-operated meansfor obtaining from such' displacement representing range adisplacement of the slidable member representing the'reciprocal of the range, an angular member connected to the shiftable member, means fordisplacingthe angular member so as to representthe rate of change of bearing, a rollermember, means consisting of a link-member interactlng with the angular and slidable members for multiplying such last displace.

ment by the reciprocal of the range'so obtained thereby producing the displacement of the roller member representing rate of change of bearing, a bearingrepresenting member, a second variable speed mecha--. I

nism operated bysaid roller-member and displaceable accordingto the rate of change of bearing and thereby obtaining a 'displacement of themember representing bear-51 ing, and a variableispeed mechanism 'foi in- 1 tegrating the rate of change of bearing and indicating actual bearing.

7. Apparatus for determining sighting data for guns, a graduated bearing-dial, a pointer juxtaposed thereto, a range-dial, a range-hand movable thereover, a shiftable member displaceable according to the rate of N actuated by said integrating mechanism to displace the slidable member, a swingingmember movable at an angle to the shiftable member, a roller-carrying member connected to the slidable member, and means interacting With the slidable member and said swinging member for multiplying the dis-, placement of the associated member by the reciprocal of the range so obtained, thereby displacing the -roller-carrying member representing the rate of change of bearing.

8. Apparatus for determining sighting data for guns, a graduated bearing-dial, a pointer juxtaposed thereto, a range-dial, a range hand -movable thereover, a shit'table member displaceable according to therate of change of range, an integrating mechanism actingunder the influence ofthe shiftable member and including an element whose total movement represents range, a slidable member juxtaposed to the dials and representing the reciprocal of the range, means actuated-by said integrating mechanism to displace the slidable member,- a swinging member movable at an angle to the shiftable member, means connected to said swinging member anddisplaceable according to the product of range and rate of ,change of bearing, and a roller-carrying member connected to the slidable member and disp1ace-' able according to the rate of change of bearing.

9. Apparatus for determining sighting data' for guns, a graduated bearing-dial, a

pointer juxtaposed thereto, a range-dial, a

- range-hand movable thereover, a shiftable member displaceable according to the rate of change of range, an integrating mechanism acting under the influence of the shiftable member and including an element whose total movement represents range, a slidable member juxtaposed to the dials and representingthe reciprocal of the range, means actuated by said integrating mecha nism to displace the slidable member and coacting. with the shiftable member to determine the reciprocal of the range, a swln ing member movable at an angle to the sh1 'able member, means for displacing the slidable member so as to represent the reciprocal including a rotatable element Whose total rotation represents range, a movable member juxtaposed to the dials and representing,

the reciprocal of the range, means actuated by said integrating mechanism to displace said movable member, an angular member movable at an angle to the shiftable member, means acting under the influence of the shiftable member for displacing said movable member so as to represent the reciprocal of the range, and means interacting with the slidable and angular members for multiplying the displacement of the angular member by the reciprocal of the range so obtained.

11. Apparatus for determining sighting data for guns, a graduated bearing-dial, a pointer; juxtaposed thereto, a range-dial, a hand movable thereover, a shiftable member associated with the bearing-dial and displaceable according to the rate of change of range, integrating mechanism acting under the influence of the shiftable member and including a rotatable element whose total rotation represents range, a movable member juxtaposed to the dials and representing the reciprocal of the range, means actuated by. said integrating mechanism to dis place said movable member,an angular member movableat an angle to the shiftable of the shiftable member for displacing said movable member so as to represent the re-' ciprocal of the range, a roller-carrying member associated with the slidable member, and

means interacting with the slidable and angular members for multiplyin the displacement of the angular mem er by the reciprocal of the range so obtained, thereby efi'ecting displacement of the roller member representing rate of change of bearing.

In testimony whereof We have hereunto set our hands in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ARTHUR H. POLLEN; HAROLD ISHERWQOD. Witnesses of first signature:

M. C. OHARA, R. M. ORPEA. Witnesses of second signature:

- S. MATTHEWS,

O. B. CHICKEN. 

